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How to Lose Belly Fat in 1 Week
With an important event coming up, you may want to get rid of your belly fat in one week. While it's impossible to lose a lot of fat in just one week, you can lose water weight, which will reduce bloating and the appearance of fat in your belly. Long-term fat loss requires a commitment, but if you need a short-term solution, be strict in your diet and exercise to reach your goals.
Eliminate salt from your diet 1. Salt is one of the biggest culprits in water retention. The more salt you eat, the more water you retain, making your belly look fatter than it really is. Stop adding salt to your food and read nutrition labels to look for sodium content. Avoid convenience foods, which are often high in salt.
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Drink water throughout the day. Drinking water serves two purposes -- it helps reduce your appetite and helps avoid water retention. Refill your water bottle throughout the day.
Base your meals and snacks on vegetables. Vegetables are low in calories, but can keep you full longer due to their high fiber content. While fruits also make a good snack, vegetables have fewer calories, so choose veggies over fruits. Eat large salads with low-calorie dressing and pile your plate with veggies at every meal.
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Limit refined carbohydrates and junk foods. If you want to lose belly fat in one week, you shouldn't eat junk foods. In addition to having unnecessary salt, they also offer empty calories, which don't fill you up. Stick to whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta, or avoid grains altogether.
Exercise every day. A week is a short time, so commit to strenuous exercise to reach your goal. An hour of intense cardio will help you burn calories and sweat out some of your water. Just be sure to drink water to replace what comes out in the sweat or your body will be dehydrated. You'll also want to work on your ab muscles, which will help you stand taller and look slimmer. Do exercises that focus on each area of the abs -- upper, lower and obliques.
Tips
Wear supportive undergarments on your big day. A week really isn't enough time to notice significant changes in your belly fat. However, by combining the suggestions above with underwear designed to shape your figure, you'll see better results.
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References
- Mayo Clinic
- Boschmann M, Steiniger J, Hille U, et al. Water-induced thermogenesis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88(12):6015-19. doi:10.1210/jc.2003-030780
- M&Ms. Nutritional facts for personalized M&M'S chocolate candies. 2020.
- Brown CM, Dulloo AG, Montani JP. Water-induced thermogenesis reconsidered: the effects of osmolality and water temperature on energy expenditure after drinking. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(9):3598-3602. doi:10.1210/jc.2006-0407
- American College of Sports Medicine. Exercise and fluid replacement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(2):377-90. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31802ca597
- Dietary reference intakes: electrolytes and water. In: Otten JJ, Hellwig JP, Meyers LD, eds. Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press; 2006.
- Stookey J. Negative, null and beneficial effects of drinking water on energy intake, energy expenditure, fat oxidation and weight change in randomized trials: a qualitative review. Nutrients. 2016;8(1):19. doi:10.3390/nu8010019
- Garibotto G, Sofia A, Saffioti S, Bonanni A, Mannucci I, Verzola D. Amino acid and protein metabolism in the human kidney and in patients with chronic kidney disease. Clin Nutr. 2010;29(4):424-33. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2010.02.005
- Dubnov-Raz G, Constantini NW, Yariv H, Nice S, Shapira N. Influence of water drinking on resting energy expenditure in overweight children. Int J Obes. 2011;35(10):1295-1300. doi:10.1038/ijo.2011.130
- Arnaoutis G, Anastasiou CA, Suh H, et al. Exercise-associated hyponatremia during the Olympus Marathon Ultra-Endurance Trail Run. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):997. doi:10.3390/nu12040997
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Hydration for athletes. Updated August 13, 2020.
Tips
- Wear supportive undergarments on your big day. A week really isn't enough time to notice significant changes in your belly fat. However, by combining the suggestions above with underwear designed to shape your figure, you'll see better results.
Writer Bio
Maggie McCormick is a freelance writer. She lived in Japan for three years teaching preschool to young children and currently lives in Honolulu with her family. She received a B.A. in women's studies from Wellesley College.